Card index case



Dec. 27, 1966 R. H. COOK ETAL 3,293,780

CARD INDEX CASE Original Filed June 10, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet l F I G 2 INVENTOR FIG- 4.

Robert H. Cook & Harry J. Collins,dr.

wmmww am ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1966 R. H. COOK ETAL 3,293,780

CARD INDEX CASE 4 SheetsSheet 2 Original Filed June 10, 1963 I INVENTORS Robert H. Cook8 Harry J. Col|ins,Jr.

mmwmm ATTORNEYS Dec. 27, 1966 R. H. COOK ETAL 3,293,780

CARD INDEX CASE Original Filed June 10, 1963 4.Sheets-Sheet I5 FIG.6."

FIG.7.

FIG.8.

INVENTORS Robert H. Cook a Harry J. Collins,Jr.

w W W Dec. 27, 1966 R. H. COOK ETAL 3,293,730

CARD INDEX CASE Original Filed June 10, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'FIGJO.

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INVENTORS Robert Hrcook 8 Harry J. Collins,Jr.

MWMMW 32M ATTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,293,780 CARD INDEX CASE Robert H. Cook, 339 S. Maryland, Mason. City, Iowa 50401, and Harry J. Collins, Jr., Bayside, Wis.; said Collins assignor to said Cook Continuation of application Ser. No. 286,861, June 10, 1963. This application Mar. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 438,827

13 Claims. (Cl. 4010) The present invention relates to a card index case and is a continuation of application Serial No. 286,861, filed June 10, 1963, now abandoned. This invention is an extension of the principle disclosed in the application of Robert H. Cook, an applicant herein, Serial No. 371, 580, filed June 1, 1964, now Patent No. 3,234,673.

An object of the invention is to provide a compact, easily handled, unobstrusive case for containing a pack of resilient cards incorporating means for transferring the cards from top to the bottom of the pack after being read or otherwise noted in which such means utilizes in a novel manner the inherent resiliency of the card to perform the transfer in reaction with certain novel construction of the case after the card has been manually shifted to a potential position, all to the end that lecturers, salesmen and the like may palm the case in one hand where it' constitutes a ready reference to notes inscribed on the cards, preferably in a sequence or continuity of arrangernent developing a coordinate theme, and in general the invention provides an aid and reminder of salient points and topics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a case for resilient cards in which the trailing end portions of the cards are stressed and then abruptly released at least partially from the tension whereby the quick expansion action or snap of the released end will have the effect of a kick or push to initiate the release of stored energy which thereupon rapidly completes repositioning of the card to the bottom of the pack.

A further object of the invention is to reduce materially the retarding action of friction incident to the movement of the stressed card in a tightly curved condition about a curved surface.

It is a still further abject of the invention to provide a mechanically assisting means by which to simplify and make surer and easier the matter of manually moving the top card into the curved surface which is to stress and eventually guide the cards to the back of the pack.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or correspondin parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view on a magnified scale of a case for resilient cards constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 44 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating one form of the case in open position;

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are longitudinal sectional views showing sequential positions of a resilient card indicating a method of operation;

Patented Dec. 27, 1966 FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of a modified form of case showing also a form of mechanical device for assisting the thumb to move the card into the curved path of its movement to the bottom of the deck;

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view on the line 1111 of FIGURE 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the case is conveniently made of plastic or other material in two parts 15 and :16 separable for the introduction of a pack of resilient cards and secured together by any suitable means. The bottom part comprises a rear or bottom wall 17, side walls 18, 19 and end walls 20, 21.

The top part comprises a top or front wall 22, side walls 23, 24 and end walls 25, 26.;

As best seen in FIGURE 5 the bottom wall 17 is provided with an opening 27 and with laterally-spaced raised longitudinally running ribs 28 on which the pack of cards rests for which see FIGURES 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11. Forming continuations of the ribs 28 are upstanding ribs 28 on the forward end wall 21. The inner faces 28 of the upstanding ribs 28 are curved downwardly to depressed portions 29 of the longitudinal ribs 28.

An open section 30 in the front wall 22 of the upper part gives access to the uppermost card of the pack. Interiorly the most forward portion 22 of the front Wall is higher than the main portion 22. The two parts 22 and 7 22 are connected by an inclined wall 31.

Vertical ribs 32 depend fro-m the higher wall section 22 and may also be connected to the forward end wall 26. The ribs 32 are adapted to intermesh with the ribs 28 of the lower part 15 when the two part case is fitted together. A satisfactory relative arrangement has been found to be five ribs 28 to four ribs 32 interfitted as shown in FIGURE 3, but other arrangements may be made.

From FIGURES 2 and 4 it will be clear that the inner faces 32 of the upper ribs 32 form complementary curves with the inner faces 28 of the lower ribs 28 such inner faces coinciding at lapped portions of the ribs so that the one forms a continuation of the other, both laterally and vertically, to promote smooth transition of the leading edges of the cards in the act of repositioning the cards at the bottom of the pack. It will be noted particularly from FIGURE 5 that where root portions of the ribs 32 are molded into the inclined wall 31, such root portions partake of the same inclination as indicated at 32.

The rib formation 28*, 32 constitutes a forward end portion of the case spaced rearwardly of the forward end walls 21, 26 but forwardly of the forward end of the card pack 35. The composite curve 32*, 28 may be on a single radius or on an expanding greater radii as the curve descends; or the curve may be slightly flattened at the intermediate point as shown, with curvatures above and below on different radii, the lower preferably the greater. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, two separate centers and different radii identify the curvatures 32 and 28 with a flattened or elliptical curvature therebetween. Due to the formation of the walls 22, 22 at different heights and the connecting inclined wall 31, the entering section of the curve 32 is outwardly offset by the amount of difference in height between 22 and 22 The mode of operation is illustrated in the diagrammatic views. FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, in which the pack 35 is shown resting on the ribs 28 with its forward portion projecting over the depression 29 to thereby form with the pack a guide insuring that the leading edge of the card 35 will be entered below the pack 35 and above the ribs 28 incident to its travel around the curves 32 28 29. The longitudinal dimension of the pack is something less than the interior length of the case to supply appropriate space for the free movement of the cards in the repositioning motion.

When the matter appearing on the upper face of the uppermost card has been utilized, access may be had to same for the purpose of pushing it forward through the open section 30, which, as shown in FIGURE 1, may have a V-shaped front edge advancing the open section to a preferably lapped relationship with the inclined wall 31 as appears in FIGURE 7. This enables the thumb or finger of the operator to push the card around the curves to a point where the trailing edge of the card is sure to be delivered to the inclined wall 31 and to the outwardly-offset entering section of the upper curve 32*.

At this point the major length of the card has been forced around the curves stressing the resilient card so that when the trailing end arrives at the abrupt outwardlyoffset area the inherent resiliency of the card will become immediately kinetic resulting in the trailing portion of the card suddenly expanding out into the offset portion. This action takes place so forcibly as to be announced by a significant snapping sound followed by the substantially instantaneous final movement of the trailing portion of the card around the curves and into the confines of the pack at the bottom of the same. This action is augmented by the fact that the terminal trailing edge of the card incident to this same action slides outwardly on the inclination 31 which adds a forward impetus. The striking of the trailing edge of the card against the outwardly offset section imparts a kick or push in a clockwise direction, as seen from the positions of FIG- URES 6, 7 and 8. The effect of this kick or push in addition to the continuing expanding action drives the card 35- home to the bottom of the pack. After this final action the fingers may be inserted through the bottom opening 28 to free the deck and by up-ending the case on end 20, 25 and giving it a slight movement all the cards including 35* may be safely lodged against these walls 20, 25 which will properly orient all the front ends, as indicated in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8.

The ribbed construction will reduce the contact area over which the cards must pass and thus minimize friction to the better and surer operation.

Referring to FIGURES 9, and 11, instead of the ribs, the curved end portion may be supplied by a highly polished metal or other member 36 crimped or otherwise held to the free edge of the top wall 22*. Aluminum highly polished and anodized will serve the purpose. The outwardly-offset section 37 forms a clamp with top flange 38 which latter may be fitted flush in the wall 22 The rear wall 39 of this clamp is inclined downwardly and forwardly to direct any cards to the curved wall 36. An offset 40 overlaps the offset section 37.

In these figures also appears a mechanical device for aiding in propelling the card forward which generally comprises a slide bar 41 laterally spanning the open section 35 having downwardly extending flanges 42 at the sides of the case from which project inwardly fingers or claws 43 entered in longitudinal slots 44 opening externally from the side walls of the case. The slide bar is slotted and a flexible or resilient friction member 45 lies across the slot, preferably a rubber strip on account of the high coefiicient of friction of this material which recommends it for grasping and moving the card, particularly where a calendared surface is presented. Rubber can also be stretched by pushing down upon the strip and causing it to engage the upper surface of the card with good adhesion. The device enables the same fingers or thumb which act to depress the rubber strip to push the slider forwardly and backwardly.

Although we have disclosed herein the best forms of the invention known to us at this time, we reserve the right to all such modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. For use with a pack of resilient cards, a case containing the cards comprising (a) an end portion to which ends of the resilient cards are presented curved to guide the cards from the top to the bottom of the pack and simultaneously to stress the cards,

(b) said curved end portion having an outwardly offset entering section into which trailing end portions of the stressed curved cards forcefully snap to impart an initial impetus to the stressed card in its direction of movement about the end portion,

(0) so that the inherent resiliency of the card acting expansively to straighten the card will react with the curved end portion to drive the card completely around said curved end portion in a fast snapping action to the bottom of the pack, and

(d) an open section extending at least adjacent to the offset section for giving access to the cards for supplying motion to the cards in a direction to push the cards initially around the curved 'end portion.

2. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 1 in which the curved end portion comprises (e) ribs spaced apart to reduce frictional contact with the elastic cards for promoting freer action of the cards in repositioning to the bottom of the pack.

3. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 1 in which the curved end portion comprises (e) a highly polished insert.

4. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 3 in which the insert is an anodized aluminum.

5. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 1 in which the outwardly offset section comprises (e) an initial outwardly inclined wall out of which the trailing edge of the elastic card will travel due to the resilience of the card (f) so that the cards will be cammed around said end portion in addition to being expansively forced around the same.

6. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 1 further comprising (e) at least top and bottom par-ts, said end portion including (f) spaced interfitting ribs on the parts.

7. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 6 further comprising (g) ribs in the bottom part supporting the pack and having (h) depressed portions adjacent the curved end portion at the delivery section thereof to utilize the superposed pack portion to guide the repositioned card beneath the pack.

8. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 1 in which the open section laps the offset section.

9. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 1 further comprising (e) a bottom part,

(f) a top part separable from the bottom part,

(g) said open section being in the top part, and

(h) said cured end portion and outwardly offset entering section being affixed to the top part.

10. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 9 in which said end portion includes (i) means in advance of the offset entering section for encountering the leading edge of the top card of the pack when advanced toward said end portion for depressing the card 5 (j) so that the trailing end of the card will initially move in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the outwardly offset entering section to enhance the snapping efiect in the stressed card trailing end when arriving at the ofiset section. 11. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 1 further comprising (e) mechanical means movably mounted to the case for at least assisting to move the cards into the curved end portion. 12. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 11 in which said mechanical means comprises (f) a slide, and (g) a depressible friction means movable with the 13. A case for resilient cards as claimed in claim 11 in which said friction means is a band of rubber.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS EUGENE R. cAPozIo, Primary Examiner.

slide positioned to engage the top card of the pack. 15 CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner- 

1. FOR USE WITH A PACK OF RESILIENT CARDS, A CASE CONTAINING THE CARDS COMPRISING (A) AN END PORTIONS TO WHICH ENDS OF THE RESILIENT CARDS ARE PRESENTED CURVED TO GUIDE THE CARDS FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK AND SIMULTANEOUSLY TO STRESS THE CARDS, (B) SAID CURVED END PORTION HAVING AN OUTWARDLY OFFSET ENTERING SECTION INTO WHICH TRAILING END PORTIONS OF THE STRESSED CURVED CARDS FORCEFULLY SNAP TO IMPART AN INITIAL IMPETUS TO THE STRESSED CARD IN ITS DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT ABOUT THE END PORTION, (C) SO THAT THE INHERENT RESILIENCY OF THE CARD ACTING EXPANSIVELY TO STRAIGHTEN THE CARD WITH REACT WITH THE CURVED END PORTION TO DRIVE THE CARD COMPLETELY AROUND SAID CURVED END PORTION IN A FAST SNAPPING ACTION TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK, AND (D) AN OPEN SECTION EXTENDING AT LEAST ADJACENT TO THE OFFSET SECTION FOR GIVING ACCESS TO THE CARDS FOR SUPPLYING MOTION TO THE CARDS IN A DIRECTION TO PUSH THE CARDS INITIALLY AROUND THE CURVED END PORTION. 